Nissan is seeking ambitious people who could use a car or van to achieve their dreams of becoming Ireland's next generation of leaders on the local, national and international stage.

Ten people who exemplify the drive to succeed in their chosen field will be given a brand new, taxed and insured Nissan to drive for a year, as part of the innovative Nissan Generation Next car ambassador programme.

"Nissan Generation Next is all about helping the best and brightest on the road to success. It is open to anyone who is passionate, committed and working hard to achieve their goals," explained James McCarthy, CEO of Nissan Ireland.

"No dream is too big or small. Tell us about it and you could find yourself with the keys to a brand new Nissan that is the right choice for you, and best suited to helping you to achieve your ambitions and to succeed in your chosen field," he said.

An applicant's chosen field can include anything from creating a new business, launching a new product, pioneering scientific research, sport or having a chart-hitting single, to making it as an actor, top chef, dancer, writer or artist. The Nissan Generation Next programme was created last year and the 10 members of the Class of 2014, selected from over 650 applicants nationwide, have achieved remarkable success since.

The Class of 2014 Nissan Generation Next ambassadors included Irish writer and director Gerard Barrett; Emma Fogarty, from Laois, who learned how to drive and became the first and oldest woman in Ireland living with EB (Epidermolysis bullosa) - a painful, debilitating skin condition - to pass her driving test.

Clare inter-county hurler Seadna Morley (21) won an All-Star and was crowned Munster U21 Hurler of the Year; while Dubliner Emma Cahill (25) is set on qualifying for the 2016 Paralympics in Equestrian Games three years after a serious injury and being told that she would never walk again.

Drift car racer Danielle Murphy, from Saggart, in Dublin went on to establish herself as the highest ranked female drift car driver in Europe.

Applicants for the 2015 programme can apply online at: nissangenerationnext.ie. The closing date for entries is May 19, 2015.